The following information pertaining to field experience (practicum) applies to Teacher Candidates in the two-year Consecutive program and Concurrent Education programs only. It does not pertain to Candidates in the Technological Studies program who are advised separately and directly by the Field Experience Office.
The University of Windsor, Faculty of Education, is in partnership with four local school boards, as follows:
- The Greater-Essex County District School Board
- The Windsor-Essex Catholic District School Board
- The Lambton-Kent District School Board (Chatham-Kent, Sarnia-Lambton)
- The St.Clair Catholic District School Board (Chatham-Kent, Sarnia-Lambton)
When you officially enter the program, you are given opportunity to identify the school board through which you would like your teaching practicum to be arranged. Please note that all of your placements will be within the board that you choose. No placements will be arranged outside of the four school boards listed above.
Because the four boards cover a geographical area that stretches as far as 100 km.from the Faculty, some schools are not available by public transit. You may require a vehicle to reach your placements. Arranging transportation is your responsibility. Please bear this in mind when applying.
Field Experience Handbook
The Field Experience Handbook serves as a comprehensive guide for Teacher Candidates and their mentors, outlining the expectations, policies, and procedures that ensure a successful and enriching learning experience. It fosters collaboration between educators, school partners, and the Teacher Candidates, supporting the transition from theoretical knowledge to real-world teaching practice.
Procedures for Formal Complaints During Practicum Placement
For challenging placement experiences that may arise during practicum, please refer to and follow the guidelines set out in the Faculty of Education’s Field Experience Handbook. As outlined in the Field Experience Handbook, most challenging experiences during practicum placement should be resolved through a consultative and collegial process involving the Teacher Candidate, Faculty Advisor, and Associate Teacher.
- The teacher candidate must first discuss the issue with the Faculty Advisor.
- Depending on the severity and nature of the concern, the Teacher Candidate should speak directly to the Associate Teacher. If the Teacher Candidate is uncomfortable doing so, the Faculty Advisor must contact the Associate Teacher and propose a meeting to mediate the situation.
- For any potentially serious issue that is not resolved through the regular process involving a teacher candidate, associate teacher, and faculty advisor, the matter should be referred to the school Principal.
- If it is determined that the matter is still not fully or easily resolved at that point, the relevant school board Superintendent, Union Representative, and the Associate Dean, Teacher Education should all be informed.
- If the matter cannot be resolved following steps 1 to 4, the Teacher Candidate might choose to pursue it more formally. This would entail a formal complaint made by the Teacher Candidate to the school Principal, who would then follow the School Board’s policies and procedures.
- In such cases, the Teacher Candidate must inform the Faculty Advisor before bringing the formal complaint to the school’s Principal.
- The Faculty Advisor must immediately inform the Associate Dean, Teacher Education of the formal complaint.
- If a formal complaint is made, the Teacher Candidate must provide the Associate Teacher with a written statement of the complaint registered with the school Principal within three days of making the formal complaint to the Principal
